one or two things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one or two things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when listing a few items or when wanting to emphasize a small number. For example, "I need to go to the grocery store to pick up one or two things before I can start dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They tend to be focused on one or two things, and they are not broadly based.

University of California, Berkeley

In my music, you have to concentrate on one or two things … one thing actually.

The Guardian - Music

"We're making progress on one or two things," he said.

BBC

We can't just single out one or two things to work on".

The New York Times

Now I choose one or two things to focus on.

Huffington Post

One or two things.

The Guardian - Books

I'd just change one or two things.

The Guardian - Books

OK, one or two things happened.

The Guardian - Sport

"We can do one or two things.

The New York Times - Sports

One or two things struck me.

The Guardian - Books

One or two things still spring to mind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing examples, ensure the context makes it clear whether you are referring to concrete objects or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid relying on phrases like "one or two things" too frequently in formal writing. Instead, try to be more specific to enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one or two things" functions as a quantifier, indicating a small, unspecified number of items or aspects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and usable expression across various contexts. It is used to introduce a limited set of considerations or tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one or two things" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a small, indefinite number of items or aspects. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain precision. Related phrases include "a couple of items" and "a few points". When using "one or two things", be mindful of the context and audience to ensure appropriate register and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of items

Replaces "one or two" with "a couple", emphasizing a small number of items.

a few points

Substitutes "things" with "points", focusing on specific ideas or arguments.

a handful of items

Uses "a handful" to suggest a small, manageable quantity.

several aspects

Replaces "things" with "aspects", highlighting different facets of a topic.

a limited number of issues

Emphasizes the restriction on the quantity of issues.

a small number of concerns

Focuses on worries or problems, limiting their quantity.

a selection of matters

Highlights a choice from several affairs, indicating a specific, small set.

certain elements

Focuses on particular aspects of elements of a specific concept.

some considerations

Highlights some elements for consideration, limiting their quantity.

a brace of matters

Uses "brace" to indicate a pair of problems, implying a slight formality.

FAQs

How can I use "one or two things" in a sentence?

You can use "one or two things" to refer to a small, unspecified number of items or issues, as in, "I need to pick up "a couple of items" at the store" or "There are "a few points" to consider before making a decision".

What phrases are similar to "one or two things"?

Similar phrases include "a couple of items", "a few points", or "a handful of items". These alternatives also suggest a small, indefinite quantity.

Is it more appropriate to say "one or two things" or "one thing or two things"?

"One or two things" is the more common and natural phrasing. "One thing or two things" is grammatically correct but sounds less idiomatic.

In what situations is "one or two things" most suitable?

The phrase "one or two things" is suitable in informal to neutral contexts where precision is not crucial, like casual conversations or general overviews. In formal or technical writing, it's often better to be more specific.